Law Updates

Subject

Summary: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has amended Appendix 2B of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023, which contains the list of agencies authorised to issue Preferential Certificates of Origin (CoO). Through this amendment, DGFT has officially notified the authorised agencies permitted to issue Certificates of Origin under the India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (India-Oman CEPA). The notified agencies include DGFT and its regional offices, Export Inspection Council, APEDA, MPEDA, Central Silk Board, Coir Board, Spices Board, Textile Committee, Tobacco Board, Development Commissioner Handicrafts, and several Special Economic Zones. The update provides transparency for exporters aiming for preferential tariff benefits under the 'trade agreement'. The notification amplifies the implementation framework of the India-Oman CEPA by determining the competent authorities liable for issuing valid Preferential Certificates of Origin for eligible exports.

Subject

Summary: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has notified four new and revised Indian Standards under the Bureau of Indian Standards Rules, 2018. The notification was issued on 1 June 2026, and the standards came into effect on 29 May 2026.  The newly established standards include IS 432 (Part 1): 2026 for mild steel and medium tensile steel bars used in concrete reinforcement, IS 10125: 2026 for copper carbonate, IS 12292: 2026 for lead suboxide (lead oxide) used in lead-acid storage batteries, and IS 19519: 2026 for dried stem bark of Sheesham used in traditional medicine.  BIS has also announced the withdrawal of the previous versions of IS 432, IS 10125, and IS 12292 on 29 November 2026, allowing a six-month transition period. These revisions aim to improve product quality, safety, consistency, and regulatory compliance across construction, chemical, battery manufacturing, and traditional medicine sectors. 

Subject

Summary: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), under the Department of Consumer Affairs, has notified a new Indian Standard, IS 20201:2026, Community Seed Bank Management System Requirements. The standard was officially established on 29 May, 2026 and has been published through a notification issued under Rule 15(1) of the Bureau of Indian Standards Rules, 2018. The newly introduced standard also aims to provide a structured framework for the management and operation of community seed banks. It is also expected to promote the preservation, accessibility, quality management, and sustainable use of seed resources at the community level. Notably, no existing Indian Standard (IS) has been identified for withdrawal in connection with this notification. Stakeholders who are involved in agriculture, biodiversity conservation, seed management, and rural development should review the requirements prescribed under IS 20201:2026 to ensure compliance and adoption of best practices.

Subject

Summary: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), under the Department of Consumer Affairs, has issued a notification establishing Amendment No. 1 (June 2026) to IS 2415:2025, Cycle Rubber Tubes (Moulded/Jointed) Specification (Fifth Revision). The amendment has been notified under Rule 15(1) of the Bureau of Indian Standards Rules, 2018. The amendment came into effect on 1 June 2026 and introduces revisions to the existing standard governing the specifications applicable to moulded and jointed rubber tubes used in bicycles. BIS has also provided a transition period, allowing the existing version of the standard to remain in force without incorporating the amendment until 30 November 2026. Manufacturers, suppliers, certification bodies, and other stakeholders in the bicycle and rubber products industry should review the amended provisions and take necessary steps to align their products and compliance processes with the revised standard before the expiry of the transition period.

Subject

Summary: The Ministry of Communications, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has notified revised Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) standards for specific telecommunication equipment under the two major statutes, i.e., the Telecommunications Act, 2023 and the Telecommunications (Framework to Notify Standards, Conformity Assessment and Certification) Rules, 2025.  As per Notification dated 29 May, 2026, the revised standards apply to: TEC 37942606: Essential Requirements for LAN Switch  TEC 40182606: Essential Requirements for 5G Core  The revised standards become effective from the date of publication in the Official Gazette. To facilitate a smooth transition, the existing standards and the newly revised standards will remain concurrently valid for the period of 90 days from the publication date. After the expiry of the transition period, only the revised standards will be applicable for compliance and certification purposes.

Subject

Summary: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has released multiple revisions to ALMM List-II for Solar PV Cells, introducing new entries, model additions, and manufacturing capacity updates for solar photovoltaic cell manufacturers. The revisions, issued between September 2025 and April 2026, expand the list of approved solar cell models eligible for deployment in projects requiring ALMM compliance. Mono PERC, TOPCon, HJT, and bifacial solar cell technologies with different efficiency ranges and manufacturing capacities have also been added to the updated list. New manufacturing sites, capacity improvements, and more approved models under current entries are also included in the modifications. The update mainly aims to strengthen the domestic solar manufacturing capabilities, enhance transparency in approved solar cell procurement, and support the growing demand for high-efficiency solar technologies in India. Stakeholders involved in solar project development, procurement, and compliance should review the latest ALMM List-II revisions to ensure that only approved solar cell models are sourced for applicable projects. The revised entries are valid for specified periods, generally extending up to 2030, subject to continued compliance with applicable requirements.